VLGA Connect

VLGA Connect, Episode 336 - In Conversation with Ken Weldin On VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined in conversation by Ken Weldin, the Joint Head of Audit and Assurance at PKF Melbourne. The topic is risk and governance, and how groups of intelligent people can sometimes make bad decisions. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governa...

Episode 335: This week, Tony Raunic joins Chris Eddy to discuss the local government happenings of the week, headed by a follow up review of governance issues at West Wimmera Shire Council; the release of the final Municipal Monitor's report at Horsham Rural City Council; conflict of interest concerns arising from a government contract process; a councillor denied a study tour over business c...

Cyber related crisis management for organisations has never been more important, and councils are no exception. Allan Briggs from Crisis Shield joins Chris Eddy today on VLGA Connect to talk about how private and public sector entities are investing in strengthening their IT systems, but run the risk of not being prepared to respond effectively in the event of a crisis. Support the show To learn m...

VLGA Connect, TGU - 24th March 2023 Chris Eddy and Tony Raunic unpack the week's big local government news stories on TGU, including a call for stronger anti-discrimination laws following last weekend's concerning displays of racism and intolerance;  Strathbogie's exit from the state school crossing supervisor program; does robust political debate include the right to offend? And mu...

VLGA Connect, Episode 332 VEC Deputy Commissioner Dana Fleming joins Chris Eddy on VLGA Connect to explain the process of electoral representation reviews.  39 Victorian Councils are due to undergo a review before the next Council elections. Dana explains the legislative requirements and the steps involved in reaching a final decision on the electoral structure to apply at each of those councils....

This week on an all-new TGU, Tony Raunic and Julie Reid join Chris Eddy to discuss the week’s local government happenings, including: A call to exit Yarrawonga from Moira Shire Yarra’s waste charge and Merri-bek animal registration fines in the news The Know Your Council website is….gone! A former CEO’s lost unfair dismissal case has a sequel Tony takes us to the movies, and Julie has a live music...

This week on In Conversation, Chris Eddy speaks with David Wolf Deputy Commissioner of IBAC on 'corruption risks associated with donations and lobbying'. David talks us through on some surveys and reports that have been recently published by IBAC such as: Corruption risks associated with donations and lobbying and IBAC's Victorian perceptions of corruption 2022. Click here to read m...

This week on TGU, Chris Eddy speaks with Tony Raunic and Julie Reid  the big talking point is the dismissal of Moira Shire Council following the release of a a Commission of Inquiry report. Among the highlights they discuss are: Political staffers issuing council related press releases More questionable councillor social media behaviour A legal threat to the use of Christian prayers at council mee...

This week on TGU, Chris Eddy speaks with Tony Raunic and Julie Reid with councillor behaviour in the spotlight.. again and on all things Local Government. Among the highlights they discuss are:  We hear about some current cases and a call from the sector for tougher penalties. Plus a new guide for councillors to understand heritage issues nepotism and cronyism in recruitment at Tasmanian councils...

On our first episode of In Conversation of 2023 , Chris Eddy and Kathryn Arndt speak with Medha Majumdar on the report she wrote - 'The Missing Women of Australian Politics'. Medha Majumdar was the Julia Gillard Next Generation Intern 2020-21 with EMILY’s List Australia, and author of The Missing Women of Australian Politics: How violence against women creates barriers to female represen...

This week on TGU, Chris Eddy speaks with Julie Reid on all things Local Government. Among the highlights they discuss are: A new analysis from VAGO on councils' annual reports, with an increase in the number of errors found Final submissions made to VCAT in the alleged voter fraud case for the 2020 Moreland Council elections  A last minute reprieve for South Australian councillors who lost of...

This week on TGU, Chris Eddy speaks with Tony Raunic on all things Local Government. Among the highlights they discuss are: A former mayor find to have engaged in serious misconduct and suspended for two months A tick of approval for governance improvements at Yarriambiack Shire A housing success story from a southwest Victorian council Concerns raised about recruitment practices at Greater Geelon...

This week on TGU, Chris Eddy speaks with Tony Raunic and Julie Reid on all things Local Government. Among the highlights they discuss are:  A large number of councillors set to lose office in South Australia for failing to submit gift returns.  Monitors appointed at a Greater Geelong Council prayers and acknowledgements of country making news The Inspectorate releases figures on a busy 21/22 finan...

This week on TGU, Chris Eddy speaks with Tony Raunic on all things Local Government. Among the highlights they discuss are: A councillor takes a fight against a court decision to the Supreme Court A council meeting closed and police called after unruly public outbursts Concerns over the timeline for representation reviews Social media posts lead to a councillor’s suspension A mayor rejects having...

The municipal monitor at South Gippsland Shire Council has released the final report, after the transition from administration back to elected representatives. The Council's CEO Kerryn Ellis speaks with Chris Eddy about the report's finding and observations, and the transferable learnings for the broader local government sector. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs,...

This week on TGU, Chris Eddy speaks with Tony Raunic and Julie Reid on all things Local Government. Among the highlights they discuss are: The pending appointment of monitors to the City of Greater Geelong Council media policies make news An arbiter finding of misconduct reactivates discussion about acceptable robust political debate This episode of TGU was brought to you by Hunt & Hunt Lawyer...

VLGA Connect   Episode 320 Special Edition: Mayor of Hume City Council, Joseph Haweil - Responding to a poll that claims most Victorians want to see local councils abolished  Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an e...

This week on TGU, Chris Eddy speaks with Tony Raunic  and Julie Reid on all things Local Government. Among the highlights they discuss are: A poll that claims most Victorians want to see local councils abolished.  Rate caps jump to 3.5% to account for higher inflation.  Countbacks for Yarra City Council, City of Stonnington and Colac Otway Shire  The review of councils' compliance with the Lo...

This week on TGU, Chris Eddy speaks with Tony Raunic, Steve Cooper and Julie Reid  comes together to discuss the week's big local government stories, and for a retrospective look at the highs and lows of the year.  This episode of TGU was brought to you by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers.  Links: Corangamite CEO appointment: https://www.corangamite.vic.gov.au/Council/News-and-Media/Latest-News/CEO-An...

VLGA Connect, Episode 317 - In Conversation with Cr Jim Magee Cr Jim Magee is the Mayor of Glen Eira and has called for a major shake-up of the local government sector in Victoria - including a look at cost shifting, the services provided by councils, and the decisions taken by the State Government that impact on the sector. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training o...

This week on TGU, Chris Eddy speaks with Tony Raunic on all things Local Government. Among the highlights they discuss are: We have countback results from two councils The new state cabinet set with no change for the local government portfolio Glen Eira mayor Jim Magee joins us to call for a major shake up of the sector One council’s Christmas Tree goes viral.  This episode of TGU was brought to y...

VLGA Connect, Episode 315 - Governance Update This week, Chris Eddy is joined by guest co-host Julie Reid, a former Council CEO and Executive Director at LGV, to unpack the local government news of the week. Topics include councillors elected to State Parliament (note there have been updates since the recording of this episode); approaching the finish line of mayoral election season in Victoria; a...

VLGA Connect, Episode 314 This week on the Governance Update from VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by special guest co-host Tony Raunic to discuss the latest local government happenings, including: councils in court; more mayoral election results; a local government stalwart retires; and what we can learn from happenings in other states. All that and more with thanks to our sponsors, Hunt &...

Councillor Moira Berry, Chair of Peri Urban Councils Victoria, joins Steve Cooper on today's Election Special episode. Moira talks about advocacy program of Peri Urban Councils Victoria in the run-up to the State Election; in particular its advocacy program around Placemaking, Job Creation, Tourism, Digital Connectivity and Transport Connectivity. Find out more at https://periurban.com.au/ Su...

Councillor Andrea Metcalf, Chair of Regional Cities Victoria, joins Steve Cooper on today's Election Special episode.  Andrea talks about advocacy program of Regional Cities Victoria in the run-up to the 2024 State Election; particularly the four pillars of the advocacy program - Economic Growth, Connectivity, Liveability and Sustainability.  Find out more at  https://www.regionalcitiesvictor...